The 5 major challenges facing companies in their transition to greener energy
The energy transition of businesses is now a crucial issue. Faced with environmental requirements, regulatory pressure, and consumer expectations, businesses must rethink their energy model to become more sustainable. But this transformation is not without obstacles. Here are the 5 major challenges they must overcome to successfully transition to greener energy.
This move towards a carbon-free economy does not only concern large industries. It also affects SMEs, mid-cap companies, and local authorities, all of which must adapt to new standards, technologies, and societal expectations. This requires a collective effort, but also individualized strategies.
Challenge #1 – Financing the investments needed for the energy transition
The costs associated with installing renewable energy systems are high: photovoltaic panels, storage systems, smart management tools, etc.
Many companies are reluctant to take the plunge due to a lack of immediate resources or visibility on the return on investment. This uncertainty is often a major obstacle, particularly for organizations with tight financial margins.
However, solutions do exist to finance the energy transition for businesses:
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Public subsidies and White Certificates provided for by French legislation,
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Public-private partnerships.
GreenYellow offers innovative models such as third-party financing to get projects off the ground without any initial investment from companies.
Support from the diagnostic phase onwards makes it possible to better calibrate the necessary budget, estimate potential long-term gains, and identify available aid, in order to achieve a successful energy transition.
Challenge #2 – Adapting system and usage
Some businesses operate in older buildings that are not very compatible with modern energy systems. In addition, integrating green solutions into complex sites (multi-energy, multi-use) is a real technical challenge.
In order to achieve their energy transition, businesses sometimes have to reconcile on-site production (such as solar photovoltaic), storage, self-consumption, and peak management, while maintaining operational continuity.
To address this, the company can undertake:
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An energy audit,
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Customized engineering,
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Customized engineering.
The goal is to optimize energy use and reduce waste. GreenYellow supports its clients in these adjustments through its expertise in energy efficiency.
Challenge #3 – Managing regulatory and administrative complexity
The energy transition for businesses is accompanied by a changing regulatory framework, with a multitude of standards, measures, and regular updates across all regions. In Europe, the accumulation of national and European legislation can cause confusion and additional delays in ecological transition projects.
The most common difficulties are:
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Understanding support mechanisms,
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The need for certifications such as ISO 50001.
The use of regulatory monitoring experts is key to ensuring compliance and securing the process. It is also useful to appoint an internal or external representative to ensure effective coordination between the various administrative and technical aspects.
Challenge #4 – Mobilizing internally and driving change
A successful energy transition depends on the buy-in of teams. However, resistance to change is real, especially when there is no pre-existing energy culture within the company.
Managers must therefore work on education, acculturation to environmental issues, and the integration of new practices into the daily routine of their teams.
Here are the drivers for action:
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Integrate CSR into the heart of the governance model.
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Implement a transformation plan aligned with strategic objectives,
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Train employees on energy issues.
Tools such as participatory workshops (e.g., Climat Fresk), internal challenges, and incentives can also boost collective buy-in and generate ideas for continuous improvement.
Challenge #5 – Measure, monitor, and promote energy performance
Effective measurement tools are essential for a successful energy transition in companies. Without them, it is difficult to analyze results and measure and promote the efforts made, which can be compiled in reports for greater clarity. Indeed, it is undeniable that data is essential for steering an effective decarbonization strategy.
Here is a comparison of management tools that are useful for the energy transition of companies:
| Tool/Method | Main objective Benefit for the company | |
|---|---|---|
| EMS (Energy Management System) | Real-time monitoring of consumption Precise control, cost reduction | |
| Energy dashboards | KPI visualization | Easy analysis, quick decision |
| Certifications (ISO, EEC, etc.) | Official recognition of efforts | Increased credibility, access to assistance |
| CSR communication | Promotion of results to stakeholders | Improved brand image |
The combination of these tools not only enables better operational management but also provides a competitive advantage in terms of performance, image, and employer attractiveness. In this way, the energy transition of companies makes it possible to reconcile energy and financial benefits.
Towards greener energy with GreenYellow
To meet these five challenges, GreenYellow will get back to you with an integrated approach: consumption optimization, solar energy production, flexible financing models, regulatory support, tailor-made management tools, and contractual guarantees.
The energy transition of businesses is a necessary step to combine competitiveness, resilience, and sustainability. By anticipating obstacles and choosing the right partners, it becomes an opportunity to create value.
Ultimately, companies that successfully navigate this transition will be better equipped to cope with energy price volatility by increasing their energy independence, meeting investors’ growing ESG expectations, and complying with increasingly demanding future regulatory frameworks designed to accelerate the decarbonization of countries.
Conclusion
Faced with climate, economic, and regulatory challenges, the energy transition of companies is no longer an option but a necessity. By clearly identifying the challenges to be met and relying on expert partners such as GreenYellow, every company can transform this constraint into a driver for sustainable performance. The competitiveness of tomorrow is being decided today.
At GreenYellow, we don’t just deploy technologies. We support our clients from A to Z and over the long term: feasibility studies, tender management, financing, installation, maintenance, and performance analysis.
📩 Want to learn more? Contact GreenYellow experts today to kickstart your energy transition.
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